Method and apparatus for transmitting LTE waveforms in shared spectrum by carrier sensing

Abstract

A method of operating a long term evolution (LTE) communication system on a shared frequency spectrum is disclosed. A user equipment (UE) is initialized on an LTE frequency band. A base station (eNB) monitors the shared frequency spectrum to determine if it is BUSY. The eNB transmits to the UE on the shared frequency spectrum if it is not BUSY. The eNB waits for a first time if it is BUSY and directs the UE to vacate the shared frequency spectrum after the first time.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Appl. No. 62 / 008,032, filed Jun. 5, 2014 (TI-75166PS), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In most countries, access to radio frequency spectrum is tightly regulated through government agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States or the European Commission in the European Union. Like any other natural resource, the frequencies that make up the radio spectrum need to be shared among its users. Parts of the radio spectrum, so-called bands, are thus either licensed to individual users, such as mobile operators, or shared among many users as is the case with WiFi or Bluetooth which operate in unlicensed bands. In addition, certain hybrid models exist where licensed spectrum is granted to a primary user, for instance for naval radar applications, who has the highest priority. In addition, secondary users are allowed t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes two methods for operating a LTE communication system on a shared frequency spectrum. The first method involves the eNB initializing a UE on an LTE frequency band and monitoring the shared frequency spectrum to determine if it is BUSY or not. If it is not, the eNB transmits to the UE on the shared frequency spectrum. If it is, the eNB waits for a first time. After the first time, the eNB directs the UE to vacate the shared frequency spectrum. The second method involves the UE monitoring the shared frequency spectrum to determine if it is BUSY or not. If it is not, the UE transmits to the eNB on the shared frequency spectrum. If it is, the UE waits for a first time and then reports the BUSY condition to the eNB after the first time. These methods help avoid collisions and improve the overall efficiency of the LTE communication system on the shared frequency spectrum.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the time it takes to update and propagate these databases to all participating users, they cannot change dynamically.

This makes it particularly challenging to operate them in radio resources which are shared by means of CS / CA multiple access schemes, since users following those kinds of protocols and procedures would lose to users following predefined schedules or radio resource assignments according to their protocols and procedures when competing for the available radio resources.

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